This book had me hooked from the very beginning. It made me laugh, cry, and tell as though the characters could see and hear me. I love the relationships and how Mindy Quigley includes real-life situations. This is a book I can not wait to add to my shelf. Not to mention, the high-quality recipes that are included in the book. I go into more detail about the real-life themes at the link below.

📖My Thoughts📖

First impressions of this book: it was fun, entertaining, easy to read and very delicious! This was my second book by this author, also the second book in the series. I really enjoyed revisiting Geneva Bay and the whole crew again. I love a good cozy mystery and this series has had me hooked from the first book and now I’m anxious for more. The characters are fun and Butterball (the cat), he’s just too stinking cute! I would love having a Butterball at home! I love Delilah’s ideas that she comes up with for her pizza place! Having lived in Michigan for more than half my life, I also enjoyed (and chuckled at) the Detroit Lions reference. I’m so excited for the next book to come out and see what mischief Delilah and Butterball get into next! Side note, while this is the second book in the series, it can absolutely be read as a standalone.
Thank you Netgalley, Mindy Quigley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review this book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust is the second book in the Deep Dish Mysteries series. The first book is Six Feet Deep Dish. I don’t know about you but just the names of the books makes me crave pizza. Plus, all the descriptions of the pizzas being prepared makes one hungry.
With that said…..I really enjoy this cozy mystery series. The mystery aspect keeps you engaged and intrigued throughout the book. I love the quirky characters in the town. The cat,Butterball, brings another humorous element to the story that will have you smiling.
This books has mystery, pizza, humor, cats and fun characters….perfect cozy reading if you ask me.
I highly recommend reading this series in order.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was a good followup to the debut of this cozy mystery. I really enjoy the characters and setting and wish I could visit the pizza shop! I will definitely continue to follow this series as they come out.

Hands down I found Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust by Mindy Quigley to be better than the first in the series. I laughed and I cried throughout the book. The cat and his antics had me in stiches and I could really see why the cat was mad througout the story since my cat can be the same way.

The story takes off right away and keeps you engaged. It can make you want to jump ahead to see what several of the characters are really dealing with or doing but it is better to just let the story work out. As with the last book I kept thinking about pizza and how I could make a new recipe for one.

A great read that you can do in a weekend or on a trip. Mindy Quigley is fast becoming one of my favorite authors.

Such a fun and entertaining story!! Delilah comes up with a plan to help boost her bottom line by entering a food contest. Her ex takes up with her biggest rival, owner of the juice bar. Accusations fly when a customer is good poisoned! A great series by Mindy Quigley and looking forward to reading more.

The second book in this tasty cozy mystery series has new pizzeria owner Delilah O’Leary set for another adventure. With a delightful secondary cast, including her aunt Biz, her ex Sam, the hunky detective Calvin Capone and others, as well as her chunky cat Butterball, this story is a great second book in a great new series.

An apparent poisoning has garnered everyone’s attention, including the ever curious Delilah. Although Capone is more than qualified to work the case, Delilah is determined to help him and steps in time and again. Meanwhile, Delilah has a chance to be a part of the Taste of Wisconsin. To say she has a lot on her plate is a great understatement.

Delilah is a great character. I really love her wit and her connection to the other characters in this series so far. The mystery is great, and fits right in with what promises to be a delightful cozy mystery series. I cannot wait for the next installment.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Paperbacks and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

4 stars = Great! Might re-read

This was a great mystery, and the cast was delightful. It was easy to fall into the flow of this one, and the ending was super satisfying!

Fun, fast-paced, and enjoyable cozy mystery with great characters and multiple intriguing mysteries. It was great to hang out again with Delilah, Sonya, and the crew at Delilah & Son Pizza. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.

3.5 stars rounded up.

Delilah O’Leary is working hard to keep her new restaurant afloat after the (mis)adventures of their grand opening in book one. If she can just win the Taste of Wisconsin culinary contest (and the money that comes with it), she’ll be able to help them survive the months without the tourists that small town Geneva Bay relies on. When one of her rival’s customers is poisoned by a tainted smoothie, Delilah finds herself landing in the middle of a murder investigation once again, much to the chagrin of Detective Calvin Capone.

As someone who was born and raised in a big city, stories set in small towns will never cease to feel like a novelty to me regardless of how many of them I read. This cozy mystery is one of those stories and it was a joy to return to Geneva Bay and see what Delilah and company are up to following what was probably the most excitement the town had seen since the time of mobsters.

While this is the second in a series, it can easily be read as a standalone without reading the first book. Not only does Quigley make it easy to understand how all these characters came together, but she also touches on the events of the first book without actually spoiling the whodunnit mystery that it revolves around.

Since this story is a cozy mystery, the stakes never feel like they are too high, even when bodies start dropping. There are a few different layers to the mystery and Quigley is able to pull on multiple threads throughout to keep you guessing. Everything weaved together in a way that made it feel like a fun adventure rather than a murder investigation and sometimes you just need a little fun with a side of murder.

Quick fun read. Second book of a series with the same characters but it is easily read as a stand alone. Characters are lively and likable and the story moves quickly.The cover gives adequate detail. I enjoyed this light mystery reading! I was provided an advanced copy by request and was under no obligation to provide a review. The opinions expressed are my own. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

The second entry in Mindy Quigley’s Deep Dish Mystery Series is just as much fun as the first! Summer in Geneva Bay is winding down, but the former playground of mobsters is still smoking with activity. While Delilah agonizes over a new recipe for a contest, the town is practically crumbling around her with exes, flirtations, poisoning, and scandalous stolen money. If only Delilah & Son were a real pizzeria!

Thanks to Net Galley and St Martins Press for the complimentary digital review copy of this title.

Delilah O'Leary is back in this second book in Mindy Quiqley's mystery series. She is excited to prepare a dish that will win the annual Taste of Wisconsin contest which will help with restaurant expenses.
I received my advanced reader's copy from Sr. Martin's Press by way of NetGalley and this is my unsolicited opinion.
The story moves right along with poisoned drinks, threatening notes, unpleasant acquaintances from the past, even missing food at the restaurant. When a murder takes place Delilah must help a friend and tries to work with Detective Capone once more.
I have to be honest; I like the first book better. I didn't care for the feeling that it was perfectly acceptable for a friend to have had an affair with a married person. It didn't matter if the person cheated on wasn't nice. It just felt off to me. I also felt Capone and Delilah's relationship didn't advance. Aunt Biz had her own mystery going on. She is one of my favorite characters.
It was still a pretty good story as far as the murder mystery went.

Dollycas's Thoughts

We arrive in Geneva Bay, Wisconsin as Delilah O’Leary is working on her entry for the annual “Taste of Wisconsin” culinary contest. She is trying to find the perfect recipe for a Deep-Dish Bratwurst Pizza with a pretzel crust. Delilah's ex has moved on with Jordan Watts owner of the local juice bar. Jordan is also working on her entry for the contest.

Delilah shares custody of the large lovable feisty cat Butterball with her ex Sam. Sam has put Butterball on a diet and that makes for a very hungry and unhappy kitty. Delilah agrees to meet Sam at Jordan's juice bar to give him Butterball. While there chaos ensues when a customer is poisoned and dies after drinking a smoothie. Was the victim the real target? How did the poison get in the smoothie? Are other people in danger? Delilah and Detective Calvin Capone are reunited as she finds herself deep in the middle of another murder investigation and on his suspect list.

Then another body is found with a connection to Sonya, Delilah's BFF, sous chef, and namesake "Son" of Delilah & Son pizza restaurant. The heat gets turned up high. A killer needs to be caught before anyone else gets burned.

_____

I am really enjoying this series set in my home state. Talk of bratwurst and cheese and I am right there. Haven't ever had bratwurst on a pizza but I guess it could easily replace Italian sausage.

Delilah was a little harsh in the first book mostly due to her OCD tendencies but I didn't notice that as much this time, but her Aunt Biz sure is acting strange. Sonya was more of a focus in this story when her past catches up with her. All three of these women are strong with their own struggles. They are all also very stubborn and have a hard time accepting help even from each other.  That being said, they are cleverly crafted and I was really drawn into each of their stories. I still am not a fan of Sam but by the end of this story, he earned a few points that may change my opinion in the future. I really love Aunt Biz who knows everyone in town having taught most of them.

Readers are introduced to some new characters too. Harold Heyer, president of the Geneva Bay Convention and Vistors Bureau. With the culinary contest, he seems to pop up everywhere. Molly McClintock aka Mac is Melody's cousin and she is up to something. Jordan Watts, owner of Juice Revolution, and her employee Jarka, who was a doctor in Bulgaria but until her English improves and she can take the necessary tests she can only find work at a smoothie shop. Mac also works at the juice bar. All these characters had a purpose in the story and were fleshed out throughout the story.

Wisconsin has been said to popular with the Chicago mobsters back in the 1920's and the author draws on that history both in Delilah's restaurant and in the mysteries which makes them even more intriguing. With plenty of suspects, twists, and turns I was delightfully entertained. I was able to put some of the clues together before Delilah but not enough to not be surprised at the reveal.

I loved all the descriptions of Wisconsin and that the author takes the time to make her characters sound like Sconies. She also adds humor in all the right places.

Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust is a marvelous addition to this series. The characters have grown in ways I like and I am now invested in their lives. The ending sets up a very interesting twist that I am anxious to see play out. The story gets a strong 4 star-fish from me. It was a very enjoyable cozy getaway. I am looking forward to the next book.

Ashes To Ashes Crust To Crust (out this Tuesday) is the second book in a new and fresh cozy mystery series. Set just a bit north of Chicago in the lakeside resort town of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin where Delilah O‘Leary, the MC, sleuth and chef extraordinaire has opened a fancy deep dish pizza place (yes, it is her passion to elevate a simple pizza to a highly trained chef’s standards) and has solved the first murder on the side - getting to know local police detective Capone (yes, descended from the infamous Capone) along the way.

In this second book in this series the murder does not happen in Delilah‘s restaurant but she is present for a first death only to find a second person (judge in a cooking competition no less) dead, just a little later, her best friend Son(ya) is implicated, so is a waitress‘ cousin so of course Delilah being Delilah she can‘t sit still but needs to start investigating … - the mystery is well plotted, there are suspects galore and red herrings, which kept me guessing throughout the story and there is a hint of romance. An interesting if slightly abrasive sleuth, a great cast of supporting characters, a fun setting, all the pizza (and fantastic flavor combination and topic ideas) and a slightly overweight cat - what more could you want ?
Some of my favorite cozy series are food adjacent and in this one Delilah’s process for developing new recipes is mouthwatering.

Second in series I really enjoy Mindy Quigleys writing style warm funny with twists and turns that surprise.A series I will continue to follow.#netgalley #st.Martins

Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust by Mindy Quigley

Published: April 25, 2023
St. Martin’s Paperbacks
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 316
KKECReads Rating: 5/5
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.

Mindy Quigley is the author of two cozy mystery series: the Deep Dish Mysteries and the Mount Moriah Mysteries. She lives in Virginia, with her Civil War history professor husband, their children, and their idiosyncratic miniature Schnauzer.

“Actions have consequences.”

Delilah is trying to get her restaurant off the ground. With the big “Taste of Wisconsin” competition coming, she figures this will be a perfect opportunity to get recognized and win the first place prize money. When people start getting sick, Delilah finds herself in the middle of what could be a deadly encounter.

This was a very easy read. The storyline flowed smoothly, and the characters were all fantastic. There was enough drama, humor, and sass to keep me engaged.

I liked Delilah. She was relatable and determined. I liked her humor and her drive. I liked Son and Biz as well. All these characters were so well developed and had such great qualities.

This book reminded me of the Foodie Series by Amy Pershing, which I appreciated so much. I loved the location, the chemistry between the characters, and the seamless way the plot read.

I will have to go back and read the first book because this is a series I will follow moving forward!

Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust by Mindy Quigley takes us back to Geneva Bay, Wisconsin. Delilah O’Leary is working on coming up with a unique pizza recipe for Geneva Bay’s annual Taste of Wisconsin. Delilah needs the prize money to help keep her restaurant afloat since her ex-fiancé who financed the restaurant withdrew his support. Unfortunately, the head judge for the contest is no fan of Delilah’s best friend and sous chef, Sonya. Delilah’s ex-fiancé, Sam has cozied up to juice bar owner Jordan Watt who happens to be Delilah’s rival in the contest. A juice bar customer becomes ill, and the culprit is a tainted smoothie. Blame is laid at Delilah’s door. When the celebrity judge ends up dead, it does not look good for the pizza ladies. Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust is the second book in A Deep Dish Mysteries. It picks up where Six Feet Deep Dish left off. It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series. I found the story easy to read. I enjoyed the vivid depictions of Geneva Bay. It sounds like a cozy lakeside town. I am not a fan of Delilah. I wish the story was not told from her point of view. I did not enjoy the frequent mentions of her figure (body shaming is not appreciated) nor of her cat’s, Butterball (the name suits the cat). The mystery was okay. It is one that can easily be solved. The key to the plot will have you rolling your eyes (I do not want to say too much and spoil it for you). It is something that could never happen in real life. The storyline with Aunt Biz was unnecessary. It was ill conceived and went against the aunt’s knowledge and experience. The resolution is another eye roller. I enjoyed the delectable pizza descriptions. There are recipes at the end of the book. While Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust was not for me, I suggest you read a sample to judge for yourself. Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust is a tasty tale with a critical contest, a prejudiced judge, pretzel crust pizza, a pecuniary problem, a sullied smoothie, and a chubby cat.

ASHES TO ASHES, CRUST TO CRUST by Mindy Quigley
The Second Deep Dish Mystery

With her new restaurant on the financial brink, Delilah O’Leary is counting on winning Geneva Bay's Taste of Wisconsin Food competition to keep her solvent. Winning could prove difficult when she learns just who the celebrity judge is. Add the shocking death of a juice bar customer and Delilah's mind veers from perfecting her contest entry to murder. With her aunt being more prickly than ever, her cat having adjustment issues, and odd signals coming from Detective Capone Delilah will have to dig deeper than her deep dish pizzas to keep her loved ones safe and happy, and perhaps solve another mystery.

I can't say enough positive things about ASHES TO ASHES, CRUST TO CRUST. I adore this series. The second Deep Dish Mystery is a mature layered mystery. Delilah O'Leary is flawed. Terribly flawed. And she knows it. And yet she is so very likable, despite, or perhaps because of those flaws. In fact, most of the characters are flawed, just like in real life, which is what makes the book so compelling and real.

The mystery is complex and I love how Delilah quietly goes about solving it, working with law enforcement. Twists and turns abound with surprises, not only to the mystery, but to the life of the characters in general. There's a gravity to personal situations and also humor and hope. Excitement, especially when least expected, kept me on my toes and provided breathtaking thrills.

With a compelling cast of characters, a foodcentric setting, and a fiendishly plotted mystery ASHES TO ASHES, CRUST TO CRUST is a delectable page turner.

It was so much fun to once again get to visit with everyone’s perfectionist restauranteur, Delilah O’Leary, Sonya (her BFF and sous chef), her feisty aunt Biz, Butterball the cat, detective Capone (yes, he’s related to Al!), Sam (her ex)…I could go on and on, so how about I just say it was great to get a chance to return to Geneva Bay, Wisconsin and all it’s wonderfully ‘special’ residents (and we’ll be meeting plenty of new ones). This time around Delilah has entered the town’s annual Taste of Wisconsin contest hoping for some free publicity and a nice cash prize. Of course there is way more than just a simple contest going on. It’s not long before someone is poisoned, and of course Delilah gets herself involved in the investigation, but honestly that just barely scratches the surface of what is going on. This is a genuinely humorous book with endearing characters, a well plotted mystery, and it had me actually laughing out loud on a number of occasions. You don’t absolutely need to have read the first book to enjoy this one, though I highly recommend doing so. I can’t wait to see what book 3 brings us. I’d like to thank St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of Mindy Quigley's wonderful Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R314DN9ZEB4X4T/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv